1. For many, Tisha B’Av is a day of profound struggle—emotionally, spiritually, and physically. The discomfort often arises not from the intensity of the day itself, but from a lack of meaningful preparation during the Three Weeks. Without a clear understanding of what has been lost, mourning becomes hollow and performative. The Beis Hamikdash was…

I. The Prayer of the Kohen Gadol On Yom Kippur, at the holiest moment of the year, the holiest man of the generation — the Kohen Gadol — would exit the Kodesh HaKodashim, having pleaded for the forgiveness of the Jewish people. Among his concluding prayers, he would offer a simple but profound request: >…

— I. The Changing Nature of Rabbinic Leadership Historically, a rav was the central authority of a town or kehillah. Appointed through formal process and backed by communal structure, he served not only as a spiritual guide but also as dayan, administrator, posek, and community overseer. In towns across Europe, especially from the 11th century…

 Tehillim 147:11 – Who Does Hashem Truly Desire? “רוצה ה’ את יראיו, את המייחלים לחסדו”“Hashem desires those who fear Him, those who wait for His kindness.” This verse in Tehillim 147:11 speaks volumes about who truly merits Divine favor. When we explore the explanations of the Malbim and Ibn Ezra, we discover something uncomfortable…

1. The Hidden Strength of the Mourning Jew Many Yidden who left Mitzrayim were also in mourning. As it states (Shemos 13:18):וַחֲמֻשִׁים עָלוּ בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם, and Rashi explains that only one-fifth — or even just one-fiftieth or one five-hundredth according to other views — left Egypt. The rest perished during makas choshech. That…

Chapter 1: Ten Expressions of Tefillah – Foundations from Sifrei Devarim > דבר אחר ואתחנן אל ה’ – עשרה לשונות נקראת תפלה:זעקה, שועה, נאקה, רנה, פגיעה, ניפול, פלול, עתירה, חיל, תחנונים. Prayer (tefillah) is not one-dimensional. According to Sifrei Devarim 26, there are ten distinct expressions of prayer, each capturing a different emotional tone and…

> אֵיכָה יוּעַם זָהָב, יִשְׁנֶא הַכֶּתֶם הַטּוֹב; תִּשְׁתַּפֵּכְנָה אַבְנֵי קֹדֶשׁ, בְּרֹאשׁ כָּל-חוּצוֹת.“How the gold is dulled, the fine gold dimmed! Sacred stones are spilled at every street corner.”— Eicha (Lamentations) 4:1 The Gold Has Not Disappeared — It’s Just Dirty Yirmiyahu is not lamenting the disappearance of gold — he’s mourning its loss of shine.…

דֶּרֶךְ יְשָׁרָה – The Upright Path רַבִּי אוֹמֵר:אֵיזוֹ הִיא דֶּרֶךְ יְשָׁרָה שֶׁיָּבוֹר לוֹ הָאָדָם?כָּל שֶׁהִיא תִפְאֶרֶת לְעוֹשֶׂיהָ וְתִפְאֶרֶת לוֹ מִן הָאָדָם.(Ethics of the Fathers 2:1) —  Summary Teaching > “Choose the path that brings honor to yourself and earns the respect of others — not just what is allowed, but what is truly good…

The claim of Klal Yisrael to Eretz Yisrael is not subject to the approval of the world, international courts, or even internal consensus. It is not about politics, diplomacy, or public relations. It is rooted in one eternal reality: Hashem is the Creator and Owner of the world, and He gave Eretz Yisrael to His…

פרשת דברים is always read on the שבת before תשע באב, and there is a well-established מנהג to chant the verse: אֵיכָה אֶשָּׂא לְבַדִּי טָרְחֲכֶם וּמַשָּׂאֲכֶם וְרִיבְכֶםEichah essa levadi torchachem u-masa’achem v’rivchemHow can I alone bear your troubles, your burdens, and your disputes?— דברים א:יב This פסוק is read to the mournful tune of מגילת…